The STUC believes that it is "vitally important" that "all options for Scotland's future remain included for consideration" - which would include the option of independence.
"We welcome the Scottish government's National Conversation and the proposed commission being set up by Labour, the Tories and Liberal Democrats," said general council member Eddie Reilly, speaking in the main debate on Wednesday afternoon.
"The SNP made a serious mistake in the 1990s by staying outside the constitutional convention and the united campaign to get the Scottish Parliament led by this congress," Mr Reilly argued.
"I say to the leadership of Labour: 'You are making a mistake by removing options from the debate and not recognising people's right to self determination.'
"There is still no settled will of the Scottish people," he added.
"It is a major political mistake to pose this debate as a battle between socialism and nationism."
UNISON delegate Mike Kirby said: "Devolution is a dynamic, not an event," supporting the convention's aim to "achieve the greatest possible consensus among the political parties and civic society."
Mr Kirby quoted Parnell: "No man has right to say to his country: 'Thus far shall you go and no further'."
Unite delegate Hugh Scullion delivered his union's support.
"We agree that devolution is a process and not an event," he said.
"It has been good for Scotland and we believe we should explore the potential benefits of increased powers."
But, he added, "ultimately we believe that we are stronger as part of the UK."
The STUC also supported a motion proposed by Kenny Ross of the FBU calling for unions to engage with the Scottish government.
"The FBU has enjoyed a very positive engagement with the present Scottish government, in stark contrast with our experience of the Labour administration," he said.
"In the last election, we were not affiliated to Labour. We developed a strategy to support individual candidates irrespective of party and we make no apologies for that.
"Not one single member criticised us for that."
Subscribe to the Morning Star online
For peace and socialism - the only socialist daily paper in the English language
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment